The Gunners' boss must drop underperforming stars for Wednesday's home fixture against Swansea
Arsene Wenger has twice warned critics not to go “overboard” since Arsenal’s embarrassing performance in Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
The Arsenal manager may have a point given his side will move to within three points of the top of the Premier League table if they beat Swansea on Wednesday night.
But the Gunners have been veering off course and Wenger needs to take significant action to prevent their title challenge from sinking.
The evidence recently, particularly at Old Trafford on Sunday, has suggested that Arsenal are not ready to win the title.
The tactics have been poor, some individual performances even worse and - most significantly - the players seem to lack the winning mentality of champions.
Wenger must show that he is not willing to put up with it. A message needs to be sent to both the players and the supporters about the standards and ambition at Arsenal.
Too many players have been woefully underperforming in recent weeks. Only Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech have really delivered - now it is time for Wenger to be ruthless.
Alexis Sanchez is one player struggling badly and still lacking sharpness despite returning from a two-month hamstring injury more than a month ago.
“You don’t want him to lose confidence and he wants to fight,” Wenger said on Tuesday in defence of his £35 million forward.
The Chilean is a wonderful talent but he is failing to make an impact. Not only could another player provide more of a threat from the start, but 20 minutes from the substitutes’ bench may be more help to Alexis as he looks to rediscover his form and sharpness.
Likewise, Aaron Ramsey has been dreadful lately, often bypassed in midfield and unable to dictate attacks. He would surely have been dropped by now if Santi Cazorla or Jack Wilshere were available, but it is time for Wenger to make that decision anyway.
If January signing Mohamed Elneny cannot get a look in now, then what was the point in signing him? Theo Walcott has also been heavily criticised for his recent performances and was virtually anonymous against United, while Gabriel made mistakes for two of the three goals conceded in Manchester.
Arsenal are facing a huge week, with Wednesday’s fixture against Swansea followed by a critical north London derby with Tottenham on Saturday.
The topsy-turvy nature of the title race means that anything can happen in the final 11 games of the season. Rivals will drop points and Arsenal are well capable of completing a run of several victories in a row.
Wenger has the chance to give his players a proverbial kick up the backside and save Arsenal’s season. He needs to take it.
- Goal